Siena Saints head coach Gerry McNamara. Robert Goddin-Imagn Images

Obvious Syracuse HC candidate might not be the best

By Eric Smithling | Last updated Mar 11, 2026 10:48 AM ET

Out with one former Syracuse Orange guard, in with another?

Following Adrian Autry's firing after a disappointing 2025-26 season, which culminated in an 86-69 loss to the SMU Mustangs (20-12, 8-10 in ACC) in the ACC Tournament's first round, another popular former Syracuse guard is an obvious candidate as a replacement.

But Autry's lackluster run might give leadership pause in pursuing 2003 champion Gerry McNamara.

Former Syracuse guard Gerry McNamara is an obvious candidate to replace Adrian Autry

Hired in March 2023, Autry seemed like a great choice to build on Jim Boeheim's legacy, considering his ties to the university. Autry was the team's point guard for four seasons in the early 1990s (1990-94) and later served as assistant head coach from 2016-23 before receiving his well-deserved promotion.

Sources: Syracuse has fired Adrian Autry. Autry missed the NCAA Tournament in all three of his seasons as the head coach. The plan has been for current AD John Wildhack to fire Autry and then the incoming AD to make next hire. pic.twitter.com/bcchM3ip3a
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) March 11, 2026

Despite those connections, Autry was never able to get the Orange, who have missed five consecutive NCAA Tournaments, the team's longest drought since 1967-72, back on track. He finished his tenure with a 49-48 record, including back-to-back losing seasons for the first time in 57 years (1968-69).

McNamara, who played alongside Carmelo Anthony during the program's only national championship season back in 2002-03, spent four seasons at Syracuse and is the program's all-time leader in three-point field goals (400).

His coaching arrow is pointing upward, too, after clinching the MAAC championship and an NCAA Tournament berth in his second season with the Siena Saints (23-11, 13-7 in MAAC). McNamara inherited a program that hadn't gone dancing since 2010 and was 4-28 the season before his arrival.

That all makes McNamara an intriguing candidate to bring Syracuse back to respectability, but after a long stretch of futility, the program should cast a wider net before settling on another former guard.

McNamara very well could be the best option after an extensive search. But for a program on the decline, a bigger shake-up might be needed.

Eric Smithling

Eric Smithling is a writer based in New Orleans, LA, whose byline also appears on Athlon Sports. He has been with Yardbarker since September 2022, primarily covering the NFL and college football, but also the NBA, WNBA, men’s and women’s college basketball, NHL, tennis and golf. He holds a film studies degree from the University of New Orleans

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